Hope for landowners

Wanneroo councillors at this month’s meeting supported the WA Planning Commission’s (WAPC) proposal to rezone the Belgrade and Dundebar roads properties from rural to urban deferred.

City officers originally recommended the council object to the amendment, which the WAPC had advertised for public comment until February 12, because it was inconsistent with the east Wanneroo local planning policy and could set a precedent for ad hoc planning.

After questions from landowners at the February 2 meeting and January 27 briefing session challenging the recommendation, councillor Dianne Guise moved an alternative to support the amendment.

Cr Guise said approval was appropriate given councillors had received a letter from the WAPC which said the amendment for the East Wanneroo Structure Plan (EWSP) area was “imminent”.

She also said the land was close to the Wanneroo city centre and next to a residential area.

“We heard from the property owners about what exists around them,” Cr Guise said.

“The four blocks are 1.7km from the Wanneroo secondary centre, the new GP super clinic, East Wanneroo Primary School and Wanneroo Secondary College.

“We have fought against piecemeal, ad hoc planning but this case is different; the landowners have been incredibly patient.

“They are doing what the government forced them to do and doing it by themselves.”

Cr Frank Cvitan, who seconded the motion, said the council had been fighting to rezone areas of east Wanneroo for more than 10 years.

“Council support will demonstrate to the WAPC that we want to see east Wanneroo progress,” he said.

“Hopefully it’s a trigger to the WAPC to get this happening.”

WAPC chairman Eric Lumsden said the department had initiated the amendment to the EWSP area but could not confirm a timeframe for its progression.

“The amendment has been considered by the Environmental Protection Authority and will be progressed to the Minister for Planning for consent to advertise,” he said.